Walking in the Woods

The way I feel anytime I go for a walk.

The wind lures me in, whispering into my ears and pulling at my coat. Each heartbeat quickens and my breathing echoes. The trees are black-skinned dryads, draped in white silk scarves. I wish to run between their slender frames.

 I find myself at the edge, winter beckons. As I take the final step, I enter the realm of the Snow Queen, or is the the Erlkönig?

In the first moments I no longer have a form, my arms are spread wide, and if I had a form I would be a flightless bird dancing among countless crystaline stars.

If laughter were a well, this one would never run dry. Nature's ears bend, listening, continuing to indulge me.

I slow down, the cold stiffening my legs and I stand in place for one moment. My breath keeps me company in an elusive ebb and flow. Standing here, I can't see it all, not until I wheel on my heels and see the black and white landscape blend, split only by blots of alpine green. I can hear my b r e a t h i n g, ragged, ripe.

A sudden plod. It breaks the silence; a mountain lion sinking on paws through soft snow. I can almost feel the yellow eyes on me, unseen. The forest holds its breath and I follow its example. My pace quickens.

I don't turn around. If I can't see them, they can't see me. Hundreds of eyes follow me, hiding every time I turn around to catch them staring.

Reviews

[Chris]

"the realm of the Snow Queen, or is the the Erlkönig? " - the the?

"Erlkönig..."

Running through
the wood on paths veiled
and tight-grown - twisted
and mannered...
each ageless and proud
runner and way
straight, strong, full of
the W O R L D
and light
full of S E L F and the beating,
striving, thudding heartbleats
as it all gathers close and tight
round and around
the swirling twirling flight
and sound of
your breath exhaling
'til filling again and again
and then the
pause
the Look - the sense of
right and belonging
and the next
step
taken
and again
and again
and the freedom and feel of
the senses expanding
finding ...you
as you really are.

...and THAT is love.
...and that is ...loss.

Chris

[tamemei]

I applaud you, sir! Well said!! Cheers! (And thanks for reading!)

[Chris]

I applauded you...